In 2004, Choi et al.27 reported an NMR method for the analysis of GAs. This spectroscopic method did not require
derivatization of the GAs or calibration standards. The peaks associated with the aromatic protons in GAs were individually integrated to give the total GA concentration rather than individual components. This method, however, was not
sufficiently sensitive and suffered interference problems when applied for the analysis of commercial samples.
Very recently, van Beek’s group addressed the problem of the lack of pure standards of ginkgolic acids.28 Magnetic nanoparticles were used to selectively adsorb GAs from petroleum ether extracts of ginkgo leaves. The mixed acids were subsequently desorbed with strong acid or base and isolated by prep-scale LC on a C8 column. Significant quantities of eight GAs were isolated by this novel procedure.